CHARSADDA: Despite the absence of the usual pre-election hustle and bustle, the Feb 8 elections for two national and five provincial assembly seats are likely to be closely contested.

Amid skyrocketing inflation, especially rising prices of natural gas, electricity, LPG and petroleum products, voters are not enthusiastic about exercising their franchise.

However, election nominees of political parties are trying to woo them one way or another.

They solicit votes by promising their development or in the name of their bradaris and acquaintances.

Voters also complain that none of the top leaders of mainstream parties visited this “region of great political importance” in the run-up to the Feb 8 elections.

A close contest is expected among Qaumi Watan Party central chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, PTI-backed Anwar Taj and JUI-F’s Mufti Gohar Ali in NA-24, according to political observers.

Noted among other candidates are Jamaat-i-Islami’s Haji Samiullah, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Shazia Themas and PML-N’s Farah Khan.

The Awami National Party has withdrawn its candidate, Irfan Alam, in favour of Mr Sherpao under a seat adjustment.

The QWP chief won elections in the constituency in 2002, 2008, and 2013. However, he was defeated by PTI candidate Anwar Taj Khan in 2018. Mr Anwar is again contesting election in the constituency.

The NA-24 voters total 5404270, including 280438 men and 223832 women. There are 188 polling stations for men and 148 for women besides 18 combined polling stations.

In NA-25 constituency, ANP’s Aimal Wali Khan, JUI-F’s Maulana Gohar Shah, PTI-backed Fazal Mohammad Khan, JI’s Musaweer Shah and PPP’s Aftab Alam are in the running.

However, a close contest is expected among Mr Aimal, Mr Fazal and Mr Gohar. The QWP has withdrawn its candidate, Qaiser Jamal, in favour of Mr Aimal.

Mr Fazal defeated ANP central president Asfandyar Wali Khan in the constituency in the last elections. He polled 83,495 votes, Mr Asfandyar 59,489 and Mr Gohar 38,252.

In the 2022 by-elections, PTI chief Imran Khan defeated Mr Aimal in the constituency by a big margin though the latter was supported by all PDM parties.

Mr Imran got 78,589 votes but Mr Aimal bagged 8,356 votes only.

The observers also foresee close contests among the nominees of the PTI, ANP, QWP and JUI-F for provincial assembly seats, including PK-62, PK-63, PK-64, PK-65 and PK-66.

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024